Thursday, March 26, 2015

Sydney Day 6 Monday

Monday morning, our last day saw us again on the 380 bus into town, a whole two stops actually. We were conserving our energy for a walk of unknown difficulty. We were off to Balmoral Beach in Mosman, described by some as Sydney's most beautiful beach. There is only one bus an hour to the beach, so we were in the city in good time. I knew which York Street bus stand to use but looking at the information at the stand, I felt no confidence and checked with staff in a booth. She assured me it was the correct stand. We had ten minutes to spare and this poster amused me. A New South Wales state election is soon to happen and lobby groups are trying to prevent the government selling off the electricity distribution poles and wires, or the maintenance of them at least. In Victoria's experience, no good has come from privatising our power system.

We ducked in for a quick wander in the Queen Victoria Building. It really is amazing and in spite of it being restored quite a few years ago, it is holding up well.

I only included this blurry photo because the staircase fascinated me.

Over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 244 bus we travelled, along the congested Military Road and before you know it, we were in Middle Head Road and getting off the bus. I had planned this trip quite carefully, but I was thrown by the beginning of Mulbring Street being called The Tar. At the end of The Tar, steps led us down to Mulbring Street and a steep descent. 'We don't have to walk back up do we?" R queried. His knees were giving him problems. "Trust me. As if I would do that." A photo looking at the impressive Mosman housing. Balmoral Beach on Hunters Bay is part of Mosman.

Oh, I thought it would be big open parkland. Instead it is a narrow bush track. Light rain began to fall, so I was glad of the protection the trees gave us. It was a nice walk but there were always a bit of a house in sight.

What have we here? A man made cutting. Why?

Ah ha. A tram to Balmoral Beach ran through the cutting. Much of its convoluted route is now housing but its path through the cutting leading down to the beach remains. This isn't original track.

Pity this is so out of focus. You will just have to go back to my 2008 post to read a little about the tram to Balmoral Beach. There is a map in the post too, so you can see where we walked.

Almost at the centre of the photo is metal work driven into the rock to support the electric overhead wires.

Most beautiful Sydney Beach? Not on an overcast day. It was rather nice though.

It was calm and so peaceful in the wealthy and white enclave. Even if you were several metres away from the road, if you turned towards it, a motorist would stop in case you may want to cross the road.

This building in the distance grabbed my eye, roughly north of the beach. Anyone know what it is?

You need serious money to live in one of the beachside residences.

This is Rocky Point, opposite to where the tram line ended in Mandelong Road after running along the beach front.

Lovely big trees grow in the parkland along the beach.

A walkway across to Rocky Point. I guess there is water under the bridge at high tide.

Bathers Pavillion.

Billy was a local dog and seen daily in the streets with his owner. When Billy died, local people funded this memorial to him.

A fine rotunda.

We puzzled a bit at the high rise towers across the water, to the left of this photo. Once we saw the two large ferries, we realised it was Manly. It was nearing lunch time, but R seemed disinclined to eat at one of maybe three cafes. Instead we bought an icecream and drink from the beach kiosk.

No, we did not have to walk back up the hill to catch the bus. The 245 bus terminus is the old tram terminus and we weaved and climbed our way up from the beach and quickly arrived back in the city. Do you fancy having a look at the World Square shopping centre, I asked R? We could have a spot of lunch there. Long was the site of World Square a hole in the ground, viewable from the defunct monorail. Hmm, bit of a walk. We could get a bus? No, we will walk. Later when looking at something bus related, I realised the free 555 bus runs along George Street from the Quay to Central. Nothing wrong with walking though.

Generally I think Sydney has done a better job of keeping its old buildings, but it is just my impression.

Graffiti, or graffiti on a mural.

Well, it was just after Mardi Gras.

World Square was not quite where I thought it was, and we walked around a block to get to it. We had an unremarkable lunch in a unremarkable shopping centre.

The evening again saw us at the Lord Roberts Hotel for dinner. Even Monday night, it was busy enough.

The next morning we were packed and ready to leave far too early. There had been a delay on the train line to the airport, but we didn't have to wait too long. Our flight was a little late leaving and about 15 minutes late arriving at Melbourne. We were still within our parking time limit. As always, nice to be home.

Thank you for taking us to Sydney with you. I agree with you about the Queen Victoria Building. It is gorgeous. Last time I was there (many years ago) the shops in it were pricey, but the charm of the building is very, very real.

No full review. Movie was sillier, so funnier than expected, with a little emotion thrown in. The usual "different cultures can still be friends" thing. The movie was "Home" with Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper Big Bang Theory) doing the voice of "Oh".Only four viewers in the entire theatre, myself, and a grandma with two children.

I like the old buildings, but don't like the billboars on them, ruins the look.Nice town houses, hanged if I know why they are so expensive for a view of the water, maybe in some areas...I suppose people are prepared to pay. Thanks for the tour...

Love the mansions as long as I don't have to live there; cheek by jowl for far too much money is not my style, lol. A pity the weather wasn't more cooperative whilst you were at the beach. Sydney really is a lovely place, but it had to be a relief to get home!

Mosman seemed to be almost too beautiful - does that make sense? Clipped to within an inch of itself. Don't get me wrong, I think that the residents there are very lucky (rich) people, but I do wonder if it might be a little Stepfordesque? The QVB looks birlliant.

Craig, I haven't seen the movie, but I could hardly not be aware of what it was about. I don't particularly know the demographics of the beach area, but I suspect it is mostly older and wealthy retired people. Mosman itself, away from the beach is more eclectic but still a place for the comfortable types.

Strayer, the staircase was closed off. Normally I avoid stairs but it would have been fun to climb. It is about our sixth visit to Sydney but some have only been for a couple of days. I don't really know that much but I do a lot of research.

You should have had lunch in the QVB , Aimee and I always stop in there even if it's just for coffee and cake, such a beautiful building. I didn't realise bus was the only way to get to Bondi beach, Dave always drives us :)P.s. why oh why is there always a plane crash every time I'm about to fly, not sure how much longer I can keep doing it :)

Grace, we have had lunch there before. There are a variety of buses to Bondi Beach, all of them busy. Sundays have to be experienced to believe. So Aimee will be the one to end up with fingernail marks in her arm?

I'm working my way backwards through your Sydney trip - this is a fascinating little detour into a place I've never been! Compared to Adelaide, every other capital city has a great public transport system, but Sydney's takes some beating. Unless you live in one of those safe seat areas that was promised public transport aeons ago that has never materialised!!

Red, I seem to recall while we were away that I read about your ever so brief visit to Sydney. Maybe you mean Balmoral Beach? I am not sure your pt is so bad, but it good pt does need a certain volume of people, who won't come unless it is good. Bit of a conundrum.

My public diary, not my private one. I live in a highrise apartment building in inner Melbourne. My interests are varied but top of the list are old buildings, history and public transport. You will find plenty of personal experiences to read in my blog too. Just be aware I am not an historian, amateur or otherwise. While I make some effort to be accurate, I don't do proper methodical research so I advise you check all details on your own behalf should you wish to quote me. Your comments are very welcome, but try to be nice to my fragile yet overblown ego. I enjoy receiving email. You can find my eddress in my complete profile.